State Capitol update for the week of February 21st
February 25, 2022Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of February 21st.
If you prefer to watch rather than read, click here to listen to the issues contained in this newsletter.
Public hearings have begun this week. Because anyone who wishes can sign up and testify, these hearings are a rich source of perspective and information. They can also be very long, sprawling across most of a day (or more, on occasion). It is a season of multiple screens – I have had my personal laptop, state laptop and phone all in use at the same time today.
We are all also trying to pack other calls, meetings, and events in before the hearings begin, and after when (we hope) they will end. I started my day with a scheduled call with Nuvance, which I took from an office in Housatonic Valley Regional High School (HVRHS), so that I could briefly attend the FFA Faculty Appreciation breakfast, then hightail it back home to chair a Public Safety & Security Committee meeting. That last meeting was supposed to be a quick one, but technology had other ideas and we all had to wait around on screen until we could get the broadcast working.
In between each of those meetings were opportunities to have lots of side conversations. I caught up with students, teachers, and administrators at HVRHS, and when the technology broke down committee members got a chance to network with each other on matters big and small. Soon, we hope, we will be able to meet again in person in Hartford and welcome more of those side conversations, which build understanding and trust.
For all the busyness here in Hartford, the main news today is of course Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We have a large and vibrant Ukrainian community here in CT, for whom this unjustified, unprovoked, and illegal war of aggression brings disastrous human consequences that are close and personal. I’m heartened to see the bonds between the United States and our allies drawing closer as we act together to protect this sovereign country.
Elder Justice Hotline: (860) 808-5555
I joined Attorney General William Tong and State Representative Michelle Cook at the Sullivan Senior Center in Torrington to discuss a new resource to help older adults in Connecticut week information, assistance, and justice.
The Attorney General’s Office, in cooperation with the Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut (CEJC), has launched the Elder Justice Hotline – 1-860-808-5555.
Have you been the victim of a fraud? Received a message demanding immediate payment and aren’t sure if it’s legitimate? Have you or your loved one been the victim of abuse or neglect? Do you need help accessing benefits or assistance? If so, contact the Elder Justice Hotline at 1-860-808-5555 and our staff can connect you to agencies who are available to help.
The hotline will be staffed by the Attorney General’s Office Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. If you are calling after hours, please leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible.
Elder justice issues affect everyone in our community and touch upon many aspects of our lives. Issues affecting older adults can range from age-based discrimination in the workplace to elder abuse, neglect, fraud, and exploitation. As a result, no one state agency can answer every question.
Recognizing the importance of collaboration, the Attorney General’s Office has partnered with the CEJC to provide the Elder Justice Hotline as an additional resource for Connecticut’s older residents, their families, and caregivers. The Elder Justice Hotline can successfully connect consumers to the right agency to lodge a complaint, get more information, or get connected to the resources they need.
The Elder Justice Hotline is intended as an additional resource offered to connect individuals seeking information to the appropriate state agencies. The Elder Justice Hotline does not investigate reports of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation. Reports of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation received through the Hotline will be referred to the Department of Social Service, Elderly Protective Services Unit. Individuals may also report such complaints directly by calling 1-888-385-4225 (during regular business hours) or to Infoline at 211 after hours, weekend and state holidays. If calling from outside Connecticut, call Infoline at 211 or call 1-800-203-1234. Additional information on how to report elder abuse can be found at Social Work Services--Related Resources (ct.gov)
To file a consumer-related complaint directly with the Attorney General’s Office, please use the link below or call the Elder justice Hotline at 1-860-808-5555 for further assistance.
Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- COVID-19 Weekly Update. Click Here
- Upcoming hearings – schedule. Click Here
- Enhancing Mental Health Services for Children and Families.
Click Here - Regional Vaccination and Testing Updates. Click Here
- Department of Agriculture guidance for backyard poultry flock owners. Click Here
- Habitat for Humanity is gearing up to build two homes in the region. Click Here
- Live Theatre returns: Goshen Players and Housatonic Musical Theatre Society. Click Here
- Providing information to Connecticut residents. Click Here
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Enhancing Mental Health Services for Children and Families
The mental health and well-being of our state's youth and families has been a leading priority. While we saw a rise in depression, anxiety, self-harm, and other forms of distress in young people prior to the pandemic, the increased isolation and uncertainty that has come from the past two years has exacerbated this issue. My colleagues and I have worked collaboratively on a bipartisan bill to provide additional support, resources, and structural change to the children's mental health system in Connecticut.
| HB 5001, An Act Concerning Children's Mental Health, is a comprehensive proposal encompassing schools, healthcare settings, insurance eligibility, screening tools, and more. A press conference was held on Friday, Feb. 18, to unveil the legislation and discuss the ways in which it will address the needs of Connecticut's mental and behavior health system for children. You can watch the on-demand recording here. |
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The vaccination clinic that was scheduled for this Friday, February 25th, has been CANCELLED due to the forecasted weather.
Additional upcoming vaccination clinic dates/times include:
- Friday, March 4, 2022, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 18, 2022, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
All three vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, will be available. All boosters will also be available. Further information on primary shots and boosters can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html
Please see the flier below from the Torrington Area Health District regarding FREE PCR testing Wednesday, March 2nd.
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| Sincerely,
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